Christian “Arnold” Holst

Posted: Friday, Mar 11th, 2011

Chris Holst died March 2, 2011 at Mydor’s Care Facility in Santa Maria. He was born in December of 1923 in Paso Robles.

Chris was the third child of Christian Annar and Effie (Brown) Holst of Paso Robles (San Lucas). He graduated from P.R.H.S. in 1941, Stockton Junior College and the College of the Pacific (1948) – with service in the US Army Air Corp (42-45). In 1947 he married Wilma Harvey from Templeton, and raised their two children, Arlene and Cary in Paso Robles.

Chris was very active as Secretary Manager of P.R. Savings and Loan from 1954 to 1979 (Cal Fed), owner/operator of Holst Hotel from 1950 to 1980, and a 50-year member of the P.R. Kiwanis Club, who loved to organize and officiate the Pioneer Day Pet Show, work civic projects as well as the pancake breakfasts. He was also a 100-gallon blood donor. His days were spent between the hotel, savings and loan office, golf course and Cayucos.

Always busy fixing or customizing something, he loved Wilma, family and friends. A typical Saturday was playing 18 holes and cleaning five to 10 rooms at the hotel in the morning, followed by heading to the beach to mow the lawn and BBQ in the afternoon. He especially loved Cayucos, where he spent summers as a child.

Chris is preceded in death by his wife, Wilma (2002); and sisters Janeth (Harnisch) and Helen (Oakley).

Chris is survived by his daughter Arlene (Krysinski) of Citrus Heights; son Cary (Kathy) of Santa Maria, grandchildren Carlene (Holst) Miller (Drew), Kevin Holst and great-grandson Callen Miller (born Feb. 3, 2011); cousins Lois Godden (Brown) of Lompoc and Marilyn White (Brown) of Martinez; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 19 at the Plymouth Congregational Church, 13th and Oak streets in Paso Robles. Internment will be at the P.R. District Cemetery.